Trump golf club loses legal fight over memberships

With Mar-a-Lago closed for the summer, Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. is becoming the new presidential weekend escape.

With Mar-a-Lago closed for the summer, Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. is becoming the new presidential weekend escape.

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With Mar-a-Lago closed for the summer, Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. is becoming the new presidential weekend escape.

With Mar-a-Lago closed for the summer, Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. is becoming the new presidential weekend escape.

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CBS Miami's Kelli O'Hara reports from Washington D.C. on whether President Trump will pull out of the Global Climate Agreement

CBS Miami's Kelli O'Hara reports from Washington D.C. on whether President Trump will pull out of the Global Climate Agreement

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President Trump asked two top intelligence officials to help him push back against an FBI investigation into possible coordination between his campaign and the Russian government. (May 22, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR)

President Trump asked two top intelligence officials to help him push back against an FBI investigation into possible coordination between his campaign and the Russian government. (May 22, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR)

Former NBC host Billy Bush has spoken publicly for the first time about the 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape in which Donald Trump bragged about grabbing women by the genitals. (May 22, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR)

Former NBC host Billy Bush has spoken publicly for the first time about the 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape in which Donald Trump bragged about grabbing women by the genitals. (May 22, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here http://bit.ly/2n6VKPR)

President Donald Trump Wednesday lost a legal fight over the Jupiter golf club he once led, where dozens of disgruntled members say they were charged thousands while not being allowed to play.

A federal judge ruled that Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter should pay $5.8 million to people who argued that while waiting for membership deposit refunds, they were charged annual dues and fees – even though they were barred from using the golf course, restaurant, spa and other amenities.

Barring people still paying fees from using the club “revoked or canceled their memberships” and entitled them to refunds within 30 days, according to U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra’s ruling.

The judge also wiped out any fees and other club charges that had accrued since Dec. 31, 2012, for those who were part of the lawsuit.

The ruling comes after a 3 1/2 year legal fight, which started when the leader of the golf club was a real-estate-mogul-turned-reality-TV-star who had not yet launched his run for president.

“Our clients are very excited,” said attorney Seth Lehrman, who represents the club members who filed suit. “It’s been a long time coming for them.”

The Trump National Golf Club plans to appeal the ruling, the club’s attorney Herman J. Russomanno III said.

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Some South Florida cities, along with others across the nation, have done away with old-fashioned, coin only “lollipop” meters for devices that are much more clever — 'smart meters'.

Some South Florida cities, along with others across the nation, have done away with old-fashioned, coin only “lollipop” meters for devices that are much more clever — 'smart meters'.

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Some South Florida cities, along with others across the nation, have done away with old-fashioned, coin only “lollipop” meters for devices that are much more clever — 'smart meters'.

Some South Florida cities, along with others across the nation, have done away with old-fashioned, coin only “lollipop” meters for devices that are much more clever — 'smart meters'.

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Captain David Smith, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office for over 25 years, was arrested on suspicion of DUI after blowing a .196 and a .202 in a breathalyzer test and admitting to drinking six beers and taking a Xanax pill, stated the arrest report.

Captain David Smith, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office for over 25 years, was arrested on suspicion of DUI after blowing a .196 and a .202 in a breathalyzer test and admitting to drinking six beers and taking a Xanax pill, stated the arrest report.

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A 3-year-old boy is in the hospital after being hit by gunfire in Mangonia Park.

A 3-year-old boy is in the hospital after being hit by gunfire in Mangonia Park.

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Deputy Adam Godbey is charged with child pornography after investigators found images and videos of child pornography at his home.

Deputy Adam Godbey is charged with child pornography after investigators found images and videos of child pornography at his home.

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Does Palm Beach County need a nude beach? Officials say no.

Does Palm Beach County need a nude beach? Officials say no.

Trump took over the former Ritz-Carlton golf club in 2012.

Before Trump’s company bought the club, some members had paid between $40,000 and $200,000 each for refundable club deposits to join.

Prior to Trump taking over, members who said they wanted to quit the club were allowed to pay dues and keep using club facilities while they waited for enough new members to join and take their spot. When their deposits were refunded, they would then stop using the club and stop paying dues.

That policy changed under Trump and the dues kept accruing for those who resigned their memberships, according to testimony during the trial. At the same time, they were blocked from using the club while still on the refund waiting list.

During a hearing in August, Trump’s son Eric Trump testified that the club had been on the verge of closing before his father’s company invested about $25 million upgrading the golf course, adding a ballroom and making other improvements.

To try to lower the club’s debts after he took over, Trump offered members willing to forfeit their deposits the chance to pay reduced yearly fees and to also have access to other Trump properties, including the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach.

While Trump wasn’t named as a defendant in the lawsuit, as leader of the club and the company that owned it, he played a key role in the case. Trump provided videotaped testimony during last year’s trial over the lawsuit.

The Trump Organization, which owns the golf club and handles Trump properties, issued a statement Wednesday saying company representatives “respectfully disagree with the Court’s decision” and plan to appeal.

“The plaintiffs were all members under Ritz Carlton who resigned before Trump purchased the Club. At the time Trump purchased the Club, it was suffering financially, making it unlikely that these members would ever get back their deposits,” the Trump Organization statement said. “At trial, we presented overwhelming evidence that the plaintiffs’ memberships were never recalled and that the plaintiffs had waived this argument during the course of the litigation.”

Norman Hirsch, of Juno Beach, is one of the people who filed the lawsuit. "How can you possibly think it was fair to charge us when [we] weren't even allowed in the club?" he asked.

Talk of an appeal is common in the wake of a ruling and could change after the Trump Organization has more time to consider the outcome, Lehrman said.

“The Trump organization and President Trump are committed to the rule of law,” Lehrman said.

After being elected president, Trump said he would turn over control of his business interests to his two adult sons and a business executive.